THE next game is always your most important. This one could be defining for Pedro Caixinha.

He will head to Hampden aiming to step into new territory and stride into the final of the Betfred Cup as Rangers face Motherwell.

It is a chance for Caixinha to break an unwanted record and an opportunity for his players to move within 90 minutes of a winner’s medal.

Read more: Jason Holt eyes Hampden glory as Rangers gear up for Motherwell semi-final showdown

In his seven months in charge, the Portuguese has never won three successive matches, but the wins over Hamilton and St Johnstone either side of the international break have put him on the brink of that minor feat once more.

Stringing together a hat-trick of victories shouldn’t be something to shout about at Ibrox, but when the Light Blue legions have seen their side be as consistently inconsistent for more than a year now, it would be another small silver lining as Caixinha attempts to clear the clouds.

When Aberdeen and Partick Thistle were beaten in April, it was Celtic that denied the Gers boss next time out as Brendan Rodgers’ side eased into the Scottish Cup final.

The following month, the matches against the Jags and Hearts were both won 2-1, but history was made days later as Derek McInnes ended the Dons’ Ibrox hoodoo.

Read more: Rangers Jason Holt pleased to see Carlos Pena make his mark in win over St Johnstone​

This term, it has been Hibernian and Thistle that have stopped back-to-back wins becoming three on the spin as Rangers faltered in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Now Caixinha must avoid history repeating itself once again when the Gers face Stephen Robinson’s side on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers could have been going into the semi-final clash behind the Steelmen in the table but the 3-0 victory over St Johnstone on Friday ensured they remain six points adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen in the standings.

Caixinha made the most of the early return to action after the international break to take some time out over the weekend and he and his squad will be back at Auchenhowie tomorrow morning to start the countdown to Hampden.

As the action from McDiarmid Park is analysed, there will be plenty of reasons for the 46-year-old to be encouraged. It was, he reckoned, the best collective performance of his Light Blues reign.

Read more: Tommy Wright pleased with St Johnstone's reaction despite defeat to Rangers

The two goals from Carlos Pena will undoubtedly have pleased Caixinha as the Mexican attempts to repay the faith that his manager has shown in him this season.

In the face of criticism from inside and outside of Ibrox, and in the wake of a handful of unconvincing performances, this was an evening that Pena will hope is the turning point for him.

His touch was still heavy at times and some of his passes were miscued, but he found himself in the right place at the right time to convert a teasing cross from James Tavernier and give Rangers a first half lead.

After St Johnstone had passed up a couple of chances and then been reduced to ten men as Steven Anderson saw red, Pena clinched the points with twelve minutes remaining.

Tavernier was again the provider from the right, his ball this time headed into the corner of Alan Mannus’ net as Pena took his tally for Rangers to four.

Read more: Jason Holt eyes Hampden glory as Rangers gear up for Motherwell semi-final showdown

He was not the only one that was rewarded for his efforts. A neat finish from Graham Dorrans was his fifth for his boyhood heroes, and a fitting way to round off a fine individual performance in the middle of the park.

Behind the 30-year-old, Bruno Alves marked his return to the side after injury with a clean sheet as he and Fabio Cardoso repelled a Saints attack that showed plenty of endeavour but offered little threat when it mattered most.

The shutout was only Rangers’ second in the Premiership this term after their goalless draw at home to Hearts and will have given Caixinha’s side a welcome boost ahead of their meeting with a Steelmen outfit that have lost just once in six outings.

The overall performance pleased Caixinha but it was the result that was the most important factor as Rangers left McDiarmid Park tested but unscathed.

The Gers remain unbeaten on the road in the Premiership since Caixinha took charge back in March. Now, another win must be earned away from Ibrox.

Read more: Rangers Jason Holt pleased to see Carlos Pena make his mark in win over St Johnstone​

With a title challenge always a long shot this term, the aims for Rangers were twofold before a ball was kicked. Second place had to be achieved and silverware had to be targeted.

The wins over Hamilton and St Johnstone have ensured that further ground hasn’t been lost to Aberdeen after a disappointing start to the top flight campaign.

But the ambition of finishing best of the rest will be put on hold on Sunday as the Gers look to take a step further than they managed last term as Celtic beat them in the last four of the Betfred Cup and the Scottish Cup.

In all likelihood, Rodgers’ side will stand between Caixinha and his first medal as Rangers manager should the Light Blues overcome Motherwell and secure another trip to Hampden.

The chance to be the man that brings major silverware back to Ibrox will surely inspire Caixinha, but he will be well aware of the fall-out that will follow if his side don’t get the job done this weekend.

Two wins from two games are small steps on the road to recovery, while a third and a final spot would take Caixinha to another marker post.

Rangers still have some distance to go before they reach the light at the end of the tunnel, however.